The Essence: Max Wastler

CaptionWho is Max Wastler?

Max Wastler

Max is a champion of American-made clothing and celebrates the people who put it together on his blog AllPlaidOut. He also is a co-founder of http://buckshotsonnys.com/ and hosts Made Right Here, a show spotlighting American factories making quality goods. He's a quality human being.

Max is a champion of American-made clothing and celebrates the people who put it together on his blog AllPlaidOut. He also is a co-founder of http://buckshotsonnys.com/ and hosts Made Right Here, a show spotlighting American factories making quality goods. He's a quality human being. (Max Wastler)

"In 2010, living at my parents' house in St. Louis, I worked as a traveling shirt salesman. My mother set aside a box for donations. Sitting on top was a shirt my father had custom-made when we moved to Da Lou in 1989. It was made--with the local shop's label--by the company I worked for. Turns...

"In 2010, living at my parents' house in St. Louis, I worked as a traveling shirt salesman. My mother set aside a box for donations. Sitting on top was a shirt my father had custom-made when we moved to Da Lou in 1989. It was made--with the local shop's label--by the company I worked for. Turns... (Gitman Bros.)

"Stitcher has helped me to rediscover the joy of the podcast. Whether on the commute, in the shower or doing chores, among the handful of podcasts with which I've become enamored, I find myself listening to 'Around the Horn' and 'PTI' on ESPN, 'Here's the Thing' from Alec Baldwin and WNYC,...

"Stitcher has helped me to rediscover the joy of the podcast. Whether on the commute, in the shower or doing chores, among the handful of podcasts with which I've become enamored, I find myself listening to 'Around the Horn' and 'PTI' on ESPN, 'Here's the Thing' from Alec Baldwin and WNYC,... (Stitcher)

"In college, one of my poetry professors nicknamed me 'Fuzzy.' It was the kindest, most poetic way of describing my crazy hair. Until discovering this killer goop, my mane remained untamed. And despite the price, I continue to rely on it on a fairly regular basis."

"In college, one of my poetry professors nicknamed me 'Fuzzy.' It was the kindest, most poetic way of describing my crazy hair. Until discovering this killer goop, my mane remained untamed. And despite the price, I continue to rely on it on a fairly regular basis." (Kiehl's)

Welcome to The Essence, where we take a look into the items that some of the coolest Chicagoans can't live without. (Check out other installments here, here, and here.) Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.